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INCREASING LATINO ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION: A SUBURBAN
DISTRICT’S DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION
by
Erik Elward
_______________________________________________________________
A Dissertation Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE USC ROSSIER SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
DOCTOR OF EDUCATION
May 2011
Copyright 2011 Erik Elward

The purpose of this study was to examine how Coastal View Unified School District, a high-performing suburban district, planned and implemented a strategy for closing the achievement gap between its White student population and its increasing Latino student population. This dissertation focused on the gap in college eligibility and how the district was increasing Latino access to higher education within their four comprehensive high schools. Improving Latino college matriculation is becoming increasingly important as the Latino population grows nationwide. This dissertation was meant to identify district practices and programs leading to improved Latino access to higher education. The research highlighted CVUSD does not have a comprehensive district strategy. The data also showed CVUSD has not increased Latino college matriculation rates and, in fact, the achievement gap between Latino and White students has further increased.; This dissertation has four main recommendations for unified school district leaders regarding Latino access to higher education: (a) mandate matriculation between district middle schools and high schools in areas of curriculum; (b) make district and school information easily accessible in Spanish for Latino families; (c) mandate programs across all high schools focusing on increasing Latino student achievement; (d) research practices of other unified school districts in improving Latino achievement; (e) increase strategy sharing in the district between school principals and faculty.; This study has four additional recommendations for school-site leaders within unified school districts: (a) increase Latino parent participation; (b) increase college information to Latino parents; (c) define college-readiness and provide teacher training; (d) define college-readiness and provide teacher training. The above recommendations will serve to improve district practice in increasing Latino access to higher education.

INCREASING LATINO ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION: A SUBURBAN
DISTRICT’S DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION
by
Erik Elward
_______________________________________________________________
A Dissertation Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE USC ROSSIER SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
DOCTOR OF EDUCATION
May 2011
Copyright 2011 Erik Elward